Modular dressing retainer assembly

ABSTRACT

A molded retainer system for fishing lure dressings and accessories. In an integral retainer construction, a headpiece and stem piece are separated by a recess space along the stem piece that supports desired dressings, for example, banded or roll-up multi-stranded skirts, scent collars and/or rattles. The headpiece can include fringed edges, filaments with interconnected rattles or bristled weedguards. In a two-piece construction, a detachable stem piece is shaped to plug mount to a cavity at the headpiece. A variety of different lure dressings can be fitted to the stem-piece prior to being re-mounted to the headpiece. A multi-stranded skirt having a series of protrusions at each strand is also disclosed that can be fitted to the retainers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to fishing lures and, inparticular, to a modular lure dressing system wherein a molded head andtrailing stem piece either include or support attachments having fringededges, filaments, elastomer skirts, rattles, open-celled scent pods,weed guards and/or other lure accessories.

[0002] A dressing commonly mounted to fishing lures, such as jigs,“spinner baits” or “buzz baits”, is a multi-stranded skirt. The skirtsare typically fabricated from flat sheets of an elastomer material, suchas natural rubber or silicone rubber. Each sheet is processed into anumber of regions that define individual skirts and each skirt isdefined by a multiplicity of slits or strands that are attached to solidborders that bound the ends of the strands. The slits can be cut todifferent two-dimensional patterns. The skirts are cut from the sheetswith the borders attached and the strands are contained by the borders,until the strands are collected and bound together, when the borders arebut from the skirts.

[0003] Rubber bands or adhesively bound elastomer collars are frequentlyused to secure the strands together. After banding, the borders are cutfrom the strands and the skirt is ready to be mounted to a desired lure.Examples of banded skirts can be found at U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,640,041 and5,251,395. Examples of “rollup” skirts or skirts with elastomer collarsare shown at U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,517,782 and 5,709,047.

[0004] Rollup skirts are formed by rolling and bonding the border of askirt to a tubular, elastomer core or collar piece with an appropriateadhesive. Once bonded, the border is cutaway and the cut ends of thestrands trail from the core piece. The core piece and wrapped skirtstretch when the skirt is mounted to a lure.

[0005] Most lures that are accessorized with a skirt include a bulbous,molded head or body. Spinner baits include a formed wire that protrudesfrom the molded head and typically support one or more metal blades thatspin and vibrate as the lure is retrieved. A fishing line is attached tothe wire or an eye of a hook that protrudes from the head or body of thelure. As the lure is retrieved, the strands of the skirt undulate withmovement of the lure through water to entice a prey species of fish tostrike.

[0006] Trailer dressings can be added to a lure containing hooks toincrease the bulk of the presented offering. A trailer can also be addedto customize a desired color scheme at the lure. A trailer dressing mayalso define the lure, such as with salt water lures which typicallyinclude a hook assembly that is threaded through a trailing dressing.

[0007] Many lures are constructed with trailer dressings that includenatural hair, such as rabbit, deer or squirrel tails mounted to a hook.The strands of hair are secured to the hook with shaped wrappings of acolored thread material that defines a bulbous head.

[0008] Various patents that disclose components that may be used withthe head and stem pieces of the subject system are U.S. Pat. No.5,517,782 which discloses a rattle band system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,047discloses multi-stranded skirts with end protrusions. U.S. patentdiscloses multi-stranded roll-up skirts mounted to a center core piece.

[0009] The modular dressing system of the present invention provideslure designers with still other modular lure components that can be usedalone or in combination with other components to define a number ofalternative, lure dressings. The dressings can, for example, replacenatural hair dressings. Several constructions of trailer dressings ofthe latter type are disclosed that particularly provide a bulbousheadpiece and from which a stem piece trails that supports otherdressing accessories along a recessed shank. A longitudinal bore extendsthrough the head and stem pieces. The headpiece can be molded to includecut or fringed edges, filamentary members, bored flanges, bristled weedguards, rattles, scent pods etc. The stem piece can be made to plugmount to a mating cavity at the headpiece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide amodular system of lure dressing components that can be fitted to or usedto define a variety of alternative fishing lures.

[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide a moldedheadpiece that can be molded from rubber, acrylic or other materials andfrom which a stem piece trails that supports multi-stranded skirtdressings.

[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a head-piecethat can variously include fringed edges, filamentary rattles, bristledweed guards, a concave recess to shelter attached accessories, a hollowrattle chamber, fixed or movable ornamental eyes, etc.

[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a stem piecethat plug mounts to a mating cavity at the headpiece.

[0014] It is a further object of the invention to provide salt waterlure components that support a hook harness and have a relatively largemolded headpiece that can include rattle beads within a hollow chamber,fixed or movable ornamental eyes, and/or flecked decorative members andwhich headpiece detachably interconnects with a trailing stem-piece thatseparately supports one or more multi-stranded skirts, rattles, or otheraccessories.

[0015] It is a further object of the invention to provide a siliconerubber skirt dressing that includes molded protrusions that project fromthe strands at tailored intervals.

[0016] The foregoing and other objects, advantages and distinctions ofthe invention are obtained in a number of presently preferred, luredressings that are compatible with several interchangeable components.In one series of dressings, integrally molded head and stem pieces areprovided that include an annular recess along the shank of the stem thatis set forward of a flanged tail piece and that supports otherdressings, for example, a banded or roll-up multi-stranded skirt and/ora collar from which filaments and rattles trail and/or a scent pod. Theheadpiece can include fringed edges, filaments with interconnectedrattles or bristled weed guards.

[0017] In another series of dressings, a detachable stem piece is shapedto plug mount to a cavity at the headpiece. A variety of differentdressing components can be fitted to the shape of the stem piece priorto being mounted to the headpiece.

[0018] A novel multi-stranded skirt having a number of tailoredprotrusions at each strand is also disclosed. The protrusions can bemolded to project transverse or orthogonal to the strands. The shape andheight of the protrusions can also be tailored.

[0019] Still other objects, advantages, distinctions and constructionsof the invention will become more apparent from the followingdescription with respect to the appended drawings. Similar componentsand assemblies are referred to in the various drawings with similaralphanumeric reference characters. The description should not beliterally construed in limitation of the invention. Rather, theinvention should be interpreted within the broad scope of the furtherappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view to a prior art, in-line spinner baithaving a treble hook and wrapped bucktail.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective view to a treble hook finished with amolded rubber head and stem piece of the invention and a wrappedsilicone rubber skirt is fitted to the stem piece.

[0022]FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view to the lure of FIG. 2.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective view to a molded head and trailing stempiece having a tapered fringe that radiates from a peripheral edge ofthe headpiece.

[0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective view to a molded head and trailing stempiece having a straight cut fringe that radiates from a peripheral edgeof the headpiece.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a perspective view to a molded head and trailing stempiece having a number of bristle weed guards.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a perspective view to a molded head and trailing stempiece having a number of filamentary rattle holders depending from theperipheral edge of the headpiece.

[0027]FIG. 8 is a perspective view to a molded head and trailing stempiece having a number of bored tabs that radiate from a peripheralsurface of the headpiece and that contain trailing rattles.

[0028]FIG. 9 is an exploded assembly view to a lure having a molded headand trailing stem piece that supports filamentary rattles and amulti-stranded skirt containing molded protrusions.

[0029]FIG. 10 is a perspective view to a molded head having a detachablestem piece that plug-mounts to the head piece and supports accessorydressings such as a banded skirt.

[0030]FIG. 11 is a perspective view to a molded head having a detachablestem piece with a roll-up skirt fitted thereto.

[0031]FIG. 12 is a perspective view shown in exploded assembly to anover-sized molded acrylic head and an interconnecting plug-mountedaccessory stem piece that supports a multi-filament skirt and skirtband.

[0032]FIG. 13 is a perspective view to a salt water lure of theinvention shown in exploded assembly and wherein a molded head is fittedwith a detachable stem piece that supports a roll-up skirt.

[0033]FIG. 14 is a perspective view to an alternative salt water lurewherein the head is fitted with a detachable double flanged stem pieceand skirts are fitted to the two flanges.

[0034]FIG. 15 is a perspective view to a section of a skirt materialhaving shaped protrusions.

[0035]FIG. 16 is a cross section view to the skirt material of FIG. 15.

[0036]FIG. 17 is a perspective view to a banded skirt having shapedprotrusions at the filaments and which can be fitted to the foregoingmolded head and stem pieces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art, hand-wrapped trailer dressing 2is shown, e.g. a buck tail trailer dressing, as is appears when attachedto a typical in-line spinner bait lure 4. Spinner baits 4 of variousconstructions have long been used for trout, musky, northerns and othersport fish species. The construction of the body 6 and supporting wireform 5 can take many forms and the lure 4 can support one or more of avariety of spinner blades 8 of myriad sizes and shapes. The lureconstruction 4 shown at FIG. 1 represents one traditional lureconfiguration. The wrapped dressing 2 might also be mounted as a trailerhook to a spoon-type lure (not shown). In certain applications, thedressing 2 can be used alone or be fitted to a molded headpiece.

[0038] In its simplest form, the trailer dressing 2 provides a treblehook 10 that is hidden within a clump of dyed feathers or natural hair12, for example, rabbit hair or deer tail or squirrel tail. A length ofcolored thread 14 is wrapped around an end of the hair 12 to secure thehair 12 to the hook 10. The wrappings 14 are typically glued and/orpainted to enhance durability. That is, the life of the lure 4 istypically limited by the durability of the dressing 2. Over time thethread at the wrappings 14 can abrade and discolor.

[0039] Another deficiency of the dressing 2 is that the wrappings 14 aretypically wrapped by hand, which adds to the cost of a lure 4. Theproperties of the hair and/or feathers 12 also limit the range of colorpresentations that can be offered.

[0040] In lieu of using natural materials, the dressing 20 shown at FIG.2 provides a multi-strand, silicone rubber skirt 22 that is secured witha band 24 to the body of a molded retainer 26. The color scheme andsurface treatment of the skirt 22 is established in relation to thedesired aesthetics of the lure 4. The band 24 is typically formed froman elastomer material, although could be constructed from othermaterials, including plastics or polymers. The band 24 is elastic sothat it can expand and contract to secure the skirt 22 to the contoursof the retainer 26.

[0041] The retainer 26 provides a tapered headpiece 28 and a trailingstem piece 30. The skirt 22 is secured to an annular recess 32 at ashank 31 of the stem piece 30 and forward of a bulbous tailpiece 34. Thetailpiece 34 prevents the band 24 from slipping from the body 26 and canexhibit a variety of alternative shapes. The band 24 and a portion ofthe skirt 22 are typically pushed into a concave recess or cavity space35 in the headpiece 28, reference FIG. 3.

[0042] The cavity space 35 extends into the headpiece 28 a depthsufficient to shelter the band 24 and forward portions of a skirt or anyother attached accessories. A flat surface can alternatively beprovided, if a cavity 35 is not required, reference the head piece 130of FIG. 11.

[0043] The retainer 26 is preferably molded from a colored elastomermaterial, such as natural, latex or silicone rubber, although could beconstructed of a plastic or acrylic material among other materials. Thecolor selection of the retainer 26 and skirt 22 is only limited by thematerials and which materials can be seeded with dyes, glitter granulesand/or coated with paints, and metal laminates, among otherenhancements.

[0044] The headpiece 28 exhibits a conical taper. It, however, can bemolded to any of a variety of elongated geometric or oblong shapes ofirregular or regular form (e.g. spherical, ovular, cylindrical). A bore36 extends the entire longitudinal length of the retainer 26. Theretainer 26 can thereby be fitted onto any desired hook by merelythreading the retainer 26 over the hook eye 38 of a treble hook 10 orthe barb 40 of a single barb hook (not shown).

[0045] With attention to FIGS. 4 and 5, alternative retainers 50 and 60are shown. The headpieces 52 and 62 of the retainers exhibit differentshapes, although the stem piece of each is essentially the same as thebody 26. The headpiece 52 provides a tapered fringe 54 that extends froma peripheral edge of the head and overlies a cavity space 55 and therecessed shank 56 and tailpiece 57 of a stem piece 58. A longitudinalbore 36 extends through the headpiece 52 and stem piece 58. The fringe54 can be formed to a variety of shapes, extend any desired length andcan be colored to accentuate any skirt 22 fitted to the headpiece 52.

[0046] The retainer 60 provides a headpiece 62 that contains a slitfringe 62. Numerous filaments 63 extend over a recessed cavity space 64in the headpiece 62. A recess 66 is provided at the shank to support askirt (not shown) forward of a tailpiece 68 that protrudes from the aftend of the stem piece 70. The length and color of the filaments 63 canbe varied as desired relative to any attached skirt. The exposedsurfaces or peripheral edges of the retainers 50 and 60 can be formed toprovide any variety of filament s of still other shapes, spacings,lengths and/or can include apertures or notches to accommodate otherstructures fitted into the cavity spaces 55 or 64.

[0047]FIGS. 6 through 8 depict retainers 70, 80 and 90 that supportother lure dressing accessories from headpieces 72, 82 and 92. Theretainer 70 includes a number of multi-bristled weed guards 74 that arebonded to apertures 76 at the headpiece 72. A stem piece 78 extends froma recessed space 79 of the headpiece 72.

[0048] The retainer 80 includes a pair of filaments 84 that extend toend caps 86 and support flanged ends (not shown) of individual rattles88 mounted in cavities of the end caps 86. A stem piece 85 extends froma recessed space 87 of the headpiece 72.

[0049] The retainer 90 provides a headpiece 92. A pair of bored tabs 94radially project from a peripheral edge of the headpiece 92. Flangedheads of a number of rattles 88 are fitted into the bores of the tabs94. A stem piece 96 also extends from a recessed cavity space 98 of theheadpiece 92.

[0050] It is to be appreciated the retainers 26, 50, 60, 70, 80 and/or90 can be molded to support any of the foregoing accessories at othersurface locations or still other dressing accessories in any desiredarrangement or combination. For example, one or more filaments 84 andrattles 88 might be fitted to a retainer that includes weed guards 74,reference the dashed line portion of FIG. 6. See also the optionaldashed line accessories at FIG. 10.

[0051]FIG. 9 depicts yet another exemplary retainer assembly 100 whereinthe retainer 50 supports a skirt 22 to the recessed shank 56 of the stempiece 58 with a filamentary rattle assembly 102. The rattle assembly 102includes a molded rubber collar 104 and from which a pair of filaments106 extend to cupped ends 108. A flanged head 110 of each of a pair ofrattles 88 is supported to a cavity 112 at the ends 108. The collar 104binds the skirt to the shank 56.

[0052] Appreciating the physical bulk of some of the accessories thatcan be fitted to the body of the subject retainers and the difficulty ofmounting the accessories to the retainer, a number of multi-sectionretainer bodies 120, 130 and 140 are depicted at FIGS. 10 through 12.The retainers 120, 130 and 140 each provide detachable stem pieces thatplug mount or interconnect to a mating cavity at the headpiece. Desiredaccessories can thereby be mounted to the stem piece, prior to the stempiece to the headpiece. Although plug mounted stem pieces are shown, thehead and stem pieces can be constructed to accommodate twist-lock typeattachments.

[0053] For example, the retainer 120 of FIG. 10 provides a headpiece 122and a detachable stem piece 123. A bulbous head 124 of the stem piece123 mounts in a mating cavity 125 that extends coaxial with a bore 126(shown in dashed line) through the headpiece 122. Desired accessories,such as a novel skirt 127 that is described below with respect to FIGS.15-17, are secured to a recess along the shank 128 and forward of abulbous tailpiece 129 at the end of the stem piece 123. A bore 131 thataligns to the bore 126 extends through the stem piece 123. Some of themany other features that can be included at the headpiece 122, such astapered fringe 54, slit fringe 63, filamentary rattles 84,86,88 and/orweed guard 74, are shown in dashed line.

[0054]FIG. 11 depicts the retainer 130 and which provides a headpiece131 having a bore 132 that extends through a flat end surface 133. Abulbous forward end 117 of a stem piece 134 interlocks with the cavity132. A skirt 135 (i.e. a roll-up skirt that is adhesively bonded to aseparate core 1360 is mounted to a recess along the shank 137 andforward of a disk-like flanged tailpiece 138 at the end of the stempiece 134. In lieu of mounting the skirt to a separate core 136, theskirt 135 might be wrapped and adhesively bonded directly to the shank137 of the stem piece 134 and/or secured with a rubber band inconventional fashion. Bores 139 and 119 respectively extend through theheadpiece 131 and stem piece 134.

[0055]FIG. 12 depicts the retainer 140, which includes a moldedheadpiece 141. A shaped cavity 142 formed into the headpiece 141 acceptsa stem piece 134. The headpiece 141 is constructed to a substantial sizeand weight, and can be used with salt or fresh water lures with aseparately attached trailer hook, hook harness or dressing 20. Theheadpiece 141 can be molded from a variety of materials includingacrylics, plastics, metal or rubber. The headpiece 141 can includeornamental eyes 143, rattle beads 144 that move in a hollow internalchamber 147, weed guards 74, filamentary rattles 84-88 or 104-108 etc.The headpiece 141 can also be ornamented with a variety of otherdecorative materials mounted either internally or along the exteriorsurfaces.

[0056] A skirt 22 of appropriate size is secured to the stem piece 134with a band 24. The skirt 22 or skirt 127 may alternatively be securedto the stem piece 134 with a band or as part of a roll-up skirt that ismounted to a core 136. Bores 145 and 146 extend through the headpiece141 and stem piece 134 and through which a fishing line 149 is typicallythreaded. A single hook, hook harness 174 or trailer dressing 20 can beseparately attached to the fishing line.

[0057] Also shown at FIGS. 9 and 12 is an annular cloth or open-cellsponge piece or scent carrier 148 that can be mounted to the stem piece134 at a bore 151. Various liquid scents can be absorbed into the sponge148. The color and density of the sponge 148 can be adjusted as desiredin conventional fashion. Advantageously, however, the sponge 148provides a scent carrier that can be combined with the visual andaudible accessories that can be fitted to the headpiece 141 or stempiece 134. The scent is released over time from the carrier 148.

[0058]FIG. 13 shows still another salt water lure 150 that isconstructed with the various features of the invention in mind. The lure150 provides a conical shaped acrylic head 152. A bore 154 extendsthrough the head 152 to a cavity 156 that mates with a stem piece 158.The stem piece 158 can be constructed of any variety of materials, e.g.rubber, plastic, metal etc.

[0059] An interlocking or latch end 160 of the stem piece 158 includesan annular flange 162 that mates with the cavity 156. A larger diametersurface 164 abuts the aft end of the headpiece 152 and supports the core166 of a rollup skirt 168. A tailpiece 170 retains the core 166 to thestem piece 158. A supporting stranded wire snell 172 of a hook harness174 is threaded through the bore 154 and cavity 156 of the headpiece 152and bore 176 of the stem piece 158.

[0060]FIG. 14 shows still another so called “Hawaiian” type salt waterlure 180. The lure 180 provides a cylindrical shaped acrylic head 182having flat forward and aft surfaces. A bore 184 extends through thehead 182 to a cavity 186 that mates with a stem piece 188. A latchingend 190 of the stem piece 188 includes an annular flange 192 that mateswith the cavity 186. An adjacent, larger diameter surface 194 mounts toabut the aft end of the headpiece 182 and supports the core 166 of arollup skirt 168. Tapered flanges 196 and 198 are offset from a secondskirt support surface 200. A second skirt 168 of an appropriate color,size and shape is typically fitted to the surface 200. A supportingsnelled hook harness, not shown, is typically threaded through the bore184 and cavity 186 of the headpiece 182 and bore 202 of the stem piece188.

[0061] With attention to FIGS. 15 through 17, views are shown to theearlier mentioned novel skirt 127 that can be used with any of theforegoing lure constructions. The skirt 127 is formed from a flatsilicone rubber pre-form or partially cured layer of rubber 210. Thepre-form 210 is shaped by pressing a perforated grate, screen or othermold 211 into one or both exposed surfaces of the pliable pre-form 210.A number of raised projections 212 are thereby created at each of themold's aperture 213. Protrusions can be created in each of thepre-form's top and bottom surfaces upon pressing each with a suitablemold. The protrusions 212 are typically defined in uniform patterns ofdesired rows and/or columns.

[0062] Upon curing the pre-form 210, the cured rubber sheet 210 is slitinto a number of regions containing a plurality of strands bound attheir ends with a border piece. Each strand includes a desired series orarrangement of protrusions 212. Upon dicing the sheet into a number ofskirts, each skirt is bound with a band 24 or bound to a collar piece136 or bound to the shank of a stem piece and the border is cutaway.Upon mounting the skirt to a lure or stem piece, the protrusions 212,exaggerate the undulation of the strands 214 and cause bubbles to formwhen drawn through the water. A more enticing presentation is therebypresented to a particular fish species being sought.

[0063] Although the invention is described with respect to a number ofpresently considered fishing lure dressings, the features at thedressings can be applied singularly or combined in differentarrangements. The following claims should therefore be interpretedbroadly to include all equivalent constructions within the scope of thewording.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fishing lure dressing, comprising a moldedretainer having a headpiece and a stem piece, wherein a bore extendsthrough said headpiece and stem piece, wherein a shank of said stempiece defines a recessed space between said headpiece and a bulboustailpiece that projects from said stem piece, whereby a fish hook orline can extend through said bore and other attractant dressings can besupported to said retainer.
 2. A fishing lure dressing as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said headpiece exhibits a conical taper of increasingdiameter as it extends from an apex toward said stem piece.
 3. A fishinglure dressing as set forth in claim 2 wherein a multi-stranded skirt ismounted to said recessed space of said shank.
 4. A fishing lure dressingas set forth in claim 3 wherein the strands of said skirt include aplurality of seriatim protrusions that project from flat intermediatestrand surfaces.
 5. A fishing lure dressing as set forth in claim 1wherein said headpiece includes a recessed cavity space that isconcentric to and overlies said shank.
 6. A fishing lure dressing systemas set forth in claim 1 wherein said headpiece includes an internalcavity formed concentric to said bore, wherein a forward end of saidstem piece includes a bulbous projection, and wherein the bulbousprojection interlocks with said internal cavity to detachably containsaid stem piece to said head piece.
 7. A fishing lure dressing as setforth in claim 5 wherein a trailing peripheral edge of said headpieceincludes a plurality of filamentary members.
 8. A fishing lure dressingas set forth in claim 6 wherein at least one of said filamentary membersincludes an end cap having a recessed cavity and wherein a housingincluding a plurality of rattle beads is mounted to the recessed cavityof said end cap.
 9. A fishing lure dressing as set forth in claim 1wherein a plurality of tabs project from said headpiece, wherein eachtab includes a bore, and wherein a housing including a plurality ofrattle beads is mounted to the bore of each tab.
 10. A fishing luredressing as set forth in claim 1 wherein a plurality of multi-bristleweed guards radiate from said headpiece.
 11. A fishing lure dressing asset forth in claim 1 wherein an annular member constructed of an opencelled material is mounted to said shank, whereby scent attractants canbe released from said absorbant material.
 12. A fishing lure dressing asset forth in claim 1 wherein said shank extends through a bore of anannular collar and to which collar a multi-stranded skirt is adhesivelybonded.
 13. A fishing lure dressing as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidskirt is secured to said shank with an annular band and from which banda plurality of filaments extend and wherein a rattle is mounted to anend cap of each filament.
 14. A fishing lure dressing as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said headpiece includes a recessed cavity spaceconcentric to said bore, wherein said headpiece includes an internalcavity formed concentric to said bore, wherein a bulbous projectionradiates from a forward end of said shank, and wherein said bulbousprojection interlocks with the internal cavity of said headpiece.
 15. Afishing lure dressing as set forth in claim 14 wherein said headpieceincludes a hollow cavity containing a plurality of beads mounted torattle upon striking interior walls of said headpiece.
 16. A fishinglure dressing as set forth in claim 14 wherein a multi-stranded skirt ismounted to the recessed space along said shank and nests within saidrecessed cavity.
 17. A fishing lure dressing as set forth in claim 14wherein said stem piece includes a latching projection that extends froma forward end of said stem piece, wherein a bulbous projection extendsfrom the shank between said latching projection and said tail piece todefine first and second accessory support surfaces, whereby multiplemulti-stranded skirts can be mounted to said shank.
 18. A fishing luredressing, comprising a molded retainer having a headpiece and a stempiece, wherein said headpiece includes an internal cavity formedconcentric to said bore, wherein a bore extends through said headpieceand said stem piece, wherein forward and aft bulbous projections radiatefrom a shank of said stem piece and between which bulbous projections arecessed accessory support surface is defined, wherein said forwardbulbous projection interlocks with the recessed cavity of saidheadpiece, whereby said stem piece can be detached from said headpiece.19. A fishing lure dressing as set forth in claim 18 wherein saidheadpiece exhibits a conical taper of increasing diameter as it extendstoward said stem piece.
 20. A fishing lure dressing as set forth inclaim 18 wherein a multi-stranded skirt is mounted to the accessorysupport surface of said shank.
 21. A fishing lure dressing as set forthin claim 20 wherein an aft surface of said headpiece includes a recessedcavity space concentric to said bore that overlies said shank such thatsaid skirt nests into said cavity space.
 22. A fishing lure dressing asset forth in claim 18 wherein a trailing peripheral edge of saidheadpiece includes a plurality of filamentary members.
 23. A fishinglure dressing as set forth in claim 22 wherein at least one of saidfilamentary members includes an end cap having a recessed cavity andwherein a housing including a plurality of rattle beads is mounted tothe recessed cavity of said end cap.
 24. A fishing lure dressing as setforth in claim 18 wherein a plurality of multi-bristle weed guardsradiate from said headpiece.
 25. A fishing lure dressing as set forth inclaim 18 wherein an annular member constructed of an open celledmaterial is mounted to said shank, whereby scent attractants can bereleased from said absorbant material.
 26. A fishing lure dressing assystem set forth in claim 18 wherein said shank extends through a boreof an annular collar and to which collar a multi-stranded skirt isadhesively bonded.
 27. A fishing lure dressing as set forth in claim 18wherein said headpiece includes a hollow cavity containing a pluralityof beads mounted to rattle upon striking interior walls of saidheadpiece.
 28. A fishing lure skirt dressing comprising a plurality ofrubber strands and retainer means for containing the strands in a bunchto a fishing lure and wherein each of said strands includes a pluralityof seriatim protrusions that extend transverse to a common surface ofsaid strand.
 29. A fishing lure dressing as set forth in claim 28wherein said protrusions extend from upper and lower surfaces of eachstrand.
 30. A method for forming a fishing lure skirt dressingcomprising: a) preparing a pliable rubber pre-form; b) pressing a moldcontaining a plurality of apertures into said pre-form to define aplurality of protrusions; c) curing said pre-form to a sheet; d)slitting said cured sheet into a plurality of strands and whereon aplurality of protrusions project from each of said strands.
 31. A methodfor forming a fishing lure skirt dressing comprising a) preparing apliable rubber pre-form; b) pressing a mold containing a plurality ofapertures into said pre-form to define a plurality of protrusions; c)curing said pre-form to a sheet; d) slitting said cured sheet into aplurality of skirt regions, wherein each skirt region comprises aplurality of strands and wherein the ends of the strands are bound to aborder; and e) cutting each of said skirt regions away from said sheet.